I don't follow the cryptocurrency world much. The last time I tried to really look into all the coins I bought some Monero. Monero seems the most sound technica

I don't follow the cryptocurrency world much. The last time I tried to really look into all the coins I bought some Monero. Monero seems the most sound technically and cryptographically. Can someone explain to me why one alt coin like etherum gets more attention/value than others? What is it doing that is novel, or makes it more secure, or more anonymous than say Monero?